Cumbernauld Colts 1-1 Stranraer

A LATE, late strike ensured spoils were shared at Broadwood as Stranraer battled out a draw with Cumbernauld Colts.

The Blues will return to the stadium next month for a Challenge Cup contest with Clyde, who defeated Dumbarton almost immediately after Stranraer's friendly with the Lowland League side.

Max Currie came into the side ahead of Cameron Belford's upcoming suspension while David Barron, who was also sent off against Airdrie, was named on the bench but spent the 90 minutes in the stand. Also in the team was one trialist, with three more named on the bench.

Scott Robertson was booked in the opening ten minutes after halting a surging run, and he was again penalised by the referee a few moments later.

This time, the foul was in the box as Craig Holmes tumbled to the artificial turf. The hosts took the lead when Stephen O'Neil sent Currie the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Still, the Blues were given a chance to get back on level terms after being awarded their own penalty.

Ryan Wallace was brought down by the goalkeeper, who escaped any further punishment. Sam George then redeemed himself as he saved Jamie Hamill's penalty which was struck slightly to the left of the goal.

The penalty miss and going behind had kicked Stranraer into gear though as they came more into the tie.

Paul Woods flashed a drive wide of the left post from 20 yards and Scott Agnew's free kick was then touched round the same post by George.

The half time whistle came as Stranraer had started to enjoy more success, but still hadn't found a way past the Cumbernauld number one, as his goalkeeping coach - former Blues keeper Chris Fahey - watched on from the sideline.

It took time for that momentum to return in the second half and Cumbernauld Colts really should have put the game to bed on 56 minutes. A swift counter attack saw Greg Pascazio square the ball to a completely unmarked Sean Brown.

It looked like the frontman only had to tap the ball home but Currie got across his goal to make an impressive point blank save.

But Stranraer were unlucky not to be level just before the hour mark. Grant Anderson's first shot from the edge of the box was saved and George was on his feet quickly to deny the same man from closer range.

Substitutions were breaking up the flow of the game and it was looking increasingly likely that the Lowland League side would pick up the win.

It was into stoppage time when Stranraer finally found the equaliser and even then Stranraer fans could have been forgiven for thinking it was not coming. Hamill's drive from inside the box struck a defender and clipped the top of the crossbar.

From Anderson's corner, the ball was held up in the six yard box and one of the substitute trialists smashed the ball into the roof of the net with virtually the last kick of the ball.

Obviously, fans would have been hoping for a morale-boosting win but the late draw came at the end of what proved to be a very useful exercise on a day when the Blues otherwise would have had no fixture.